The shock in Arthur's heart quickly turned into pure, uncontrollable rage. He took two heavy steps forward, closing the distance between himself and his deceitful wife. Under the bright daylight and right beneath the American flag, Arthur raised his right hand. He did not hold back the pain and betrayal roaring in his chest. With a swift movement, he struck Victoria across her left cheek with a heavy, open-handed slap that rang out like a gunshot through the silent hall.
Victoria shrieked loudly as her head snapped back. But before she could recover her balance, Arthur brought his left hand around, slapping her hard across her right cheek. The sound of the second hit echoed off the marble walls. Victoria screamed in terror, dropping her designer bag onto the floor. Arthur did not pause for even a second. Driven by the deep betrayal of a man who almost lost his life, he struck her a third time, followed instantly by a fourth heavy slap that sent her flying backward onto the hard marble floor.
Victoria: Ah! Stop! Please stop!
Arthur: You heartless monster! How could you do this to me?!
Victoria: I am sorry! Please don't hit me!
Arthur: You tried to murder me! You're going straight to prison for life!
Victoria lay sprawled on the cold marble floor, completely defeated. Her fancy green dress was rumpled and wet from the spilled water, and her once-neat hair hung loose around her red, bruised face. She held her swollen cheek in total shock and terror, sobbing openly as she looked up. Arthur stood over her like a towering judge, his breathing heavy and his chest rising and falling with fury. Beside him stood Clara, still holding her arm up with the smart watch displaying the loop of Victoria dropping the fatal tablet into the glass.
The crowd of high-society guests began taking out their phones, taking photos and recording videos of the dramatic scene. Victoria covered her face in deep shame, realizing her social status, her wealth, and her freedom were all destroyed in a matter of minutes. The heavy silence of the room was broken only by her miserable crying on the floor. Arthur looked down at her with cold eyes that held no mercy left.
Arthur: Security! Hold her right there! Do not let her stand up!
Security Guard: Yes, sir! Nobody is leaving this room!
Arthur: Call the police and tell them we have an attempted murder on video!
Two heavy security officers stepped over Victoria, locking her arms behind her back as she wept. Arthur turned away from his disgraced wife, looking at the pool of spilled water and glass shards on the ground. He took a deep, shaky breath, realizing just how close he had come to dying right in the middle of a crowded room full of his friends and colleagues.